Popis: |
Bis-allyl ruthenium(IV) complexes containing 1,3 azole β-N-H protic ligands [Ru(η3:η3-C10H16)Cl2L] (C10H16 = 2,7-dimethylocta-2,6-diene-1,8-diyl) (L = imidazole (1a), benzimidazole (1b)), and N-methylimidazole (1c) are highly active precatalysts in the redox isomerization of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds in aqueous medium and in the absence of base. A wide series of primary and secondary allylic alcohols can be isomerized into the corresponding carbonyl compounds. Remarkably, complex 1b has been found to be the most efficient catalyst reported to date for the isomerization of 1-octen-3-ol in water leading to a turnover frequency (TOF) value of 60 000 h–1. Moreover, catalyst 1b can be recycled remaining active up to seven cycles. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations give evidence that the hydroxo complexes derived from 1a–c species can be formed in aqueous solution and that they can act as the catalytic active species in a bifunctional catalyzed process. This study demonstrate that in wa... |